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Lockdown drill sparks fear in students, parents

Published On: Feb 01 2013 01:24:20 PM EST

SANTA FE, N.M. -

The recent rash of public shootings around the country has parents and students on edge, and that fear escalated in Santa Fe Wednesday when students cowered under their desks, terrified that a shooter was on the loose.

Action 7 News learned that was just a drill, but very few knew that.

Ortiz Middle School seventh-grader Estevan Segura huddled under a table in the library with several other terrified students. They were so scared they started calling and texting their parents.

“It felt kind of scary, like someone was going to shoot up a school,” Segura said. “I was just like, ‘Mom, mom we're in a lockdown.’ But, I was whispering just in case there was something going on.”

Even though it turned out to be a drill, Segura thought the threat was real enough that he made an escape plan.

“To stay next to a window, if they come you can pop open the window, pop open the screen and just run out go to the nearest sheriff's station,” Segura said.

The lockdown lasted 30 minutes. Even though some students were frightened and parents were concerned, school officials said they don’t want to take away the element of surprise.

“The bigger thing is telling kids you need to be prepared to do this any time of day,” principal Steven Baca said.

But the Santa Fe School District admitted they may have made a mistake and students should’ve been told it was a drill beforehand.

“They should email parents before the drill, during the week. Just let them know so the parents know it's safe,” Segura said.

The district said it will consider calling parents first to let them know it’s a drill, not an emergency situation.

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